ExploFood · Asia
What to eat in Tajikistan
Five dishes to try in Tajikistan, the most typical first. Two are vegetarian.
Five dishes to try in Tajikistan
Qurutob Қурутоб
Torn flatbread soaked in salty yogurt sauce, topped with onions and herbs.
How to have it: The national dish; served on a wooden platter and eaten with the hands.
Oshi palav Оши палав
Rice cooked with lamb, carrots and onions in a large cauldron.
How to have it: Cooked in big batches at lunchtime; arrive early before it sells out.
Sambusa Самбӯса
Baked pastry filled with minced lamb and onions.
How to have it: Bought hot from tandoor ovens at bazaars.
Shurbo Шӯрбо
Clear lamb broth with potatoes, carrots and herbs.
How to have it: A hearty starter at chaikhanas; eat it with non bread.
Non Нон
Round flatbread baked in a clay tandoor with patterned centre.
How to have it: Never place it upside down or on the floor; tear it, do not cut it.
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Questions
What food is Tajikistan famous for?
Qurutob (torn flatbread soaked in salty yogurt sauce, topped with onions and herbs) comes first on our list, followed by Oshi palav, Sambusa, Shurbo and Non.
What is the national dish of Tajikistan?
Ask ten people and you get several answers. The dish we put first for Tajikistan is Qurutob: torn flatbread soaked in salty yogurt sauce, topped with onions and herbs. The national dish; served on a wooden platter and eaten with the hands.
Which dishes in Tajikistan are vegetarian?
Two of the five on this page are vegetarian as usually made: Qurutob and Non. Recipes vary, so ask about stock, lard or fish sauce.
What street food should I try in Tajikistan?
Sambusa (baked pastry filled with minced lamb and onions).
How reliable is this list?
The dishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app, where you can also tick off the ones you have tried. Recipes vary by region and by family, so take it as a starting point.
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Get ExploDishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app, with links to Wikipedia. Recipes and names vary by region.